Blogs
- Pop Culture Bust-Up
- Andy Cohen recaps an evening with Ellen Barkin and the Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Last night was a pop culture collision of sorts. Or maybe it was a pop culture car crash. I don't know — you decide.
I met up with NYC Prep senior PC right after work. He's just back from Spain and settling into life as a Bravolebrity. He's quite fun to watch on the show — there's no way to not have an opinion about him. And he has great clothes. There's a new episode tonight.
The bulk of the night was spent fulfilling a pop culture fantasy for my friend Ellen Barkin, who has been ON ME about meeting Caroline Manzo since the day the Jersey Preview Special started airing. So last night it was me, Barkin, Caroline, Dina, Albie, and Lauren at Il Cantinori (aka Il Cant-iffordy) yukking it up and going deep about the show. This was a SCENE, people. I WISH we had filmed it.
Albie and Lauren are great kids and Dina is a beautiful Barbie doll with brains. And Dina had me play the game Kathy Griffin plays on her show where she calls someone famous in her phone to see if they'll pick up. So Dina had me call Kathy Griffin herself, who picked up and — in her always timely way — said "You better be calling to tell me the secret between Caroline and Danielle, MoFo!" I did not tell her the secret and it was too loud to pass the phone around but I am certain Kathy will find it out soon enough.
It was a great night and I had fantastic lemon pasta.
So I guess Joe Jackson, who we knew previously only as a disciplinarian child abuser, has now completed the circle of heartless piggery with his incessant plugging of his "record label" in the wake of his son's death. I don't have to wait till Saturday to know that he'll be my Jackhole of the Week ending 7/4. Congrats, Joe!
I am not sure I totally "get" Janet's BET Awards speech or general need for the appearance, but if that's what she needed to do then I'm down with it. We had a pitch meeting with Janet a couple months ago and she was as lovely as you want her to be. She was wearing her hair like
"Penny" from Good Times and I made a big deal of that (how could I not?). She said the hair-in-a-ball-on-head look actually began pre-Penny, in Vegas performing with her brothers. Janet, loveyoooo ...
Guess what, I have a ton of work to do. Maybe I'll tweet later (@BravoAndy).
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- 07/03/2009 - 10:31pm
- Viewer
What about JT? It was he who ripped off Janet costume, yet no one ever considers that. There were two people on that stage performing that night. Where was/is his backlash?
- 06/30/2009 - 9:56pm
- Patrick
I like the way Danielle took up for her friend Tommy. I found the comment offensive also.
I want something with "PAY ATTENTION PUUUUULEEEEEESE!!!!!!!" on it!
- 06/30/2009 - 7:18pm
- Winnie
Amanda,
I don't want to go back and forth with you either! I think you've have misinterpreted my earlier remarks. The only point I was trying to make...which is my opinion and I am entitled to it...is that "Viewer" was wrong...in my opinion...to say that Janet Jackson is "genuine goodness" and his/her comment referred to Andy Cohen as the opposite end of the moral spectrum; thereby implying is NOT genuine goodness. When Janet Jackson bared her nipple at the Superbowl, in my opinion, she sacrified any moral high ground she might have held up to that point. I didn't quote Madonna...I compared Janet Jackson TO Madonna. The whole point of my argument was to stick up for Andy. But do you honestly think Janet Jackson is "genuine goodness"??? I guess I'm a little pickier about who I would give that title out to! I guess we are both entitled to our arrogant opinions! Truce?
- 06/30/2009 - 7:06pm
- Viewer
Andy,
When in the world will we know if there is a Season 2 for RHNJ? They're leaving us wanting more, more, more. Please dish!
- 06/30/2009 - 6:28pm
- Amanda
Winnie,
I'm not gonna go back n' forth w/ you. I'm going to say this and be done w/ it...
When you quoted Madonna, you automatically gave people the right to put you in your place w/ your nasty comments about Janet. MADONNA? lmao Get outta hear w/ that.
- 06/30/2009 - 5:01pm
- Winnie
Response to Amanda:
You need to either learn to spell, type or proofread before you hit that little button that says POST COMMENT!
I agree that Madonna is an attention seeker...that was part of the point! My only issue in bringing up Janet Jackson's name is that I would not describe her as "genuine goodness". You are right...I don't know that much about her...but I wouldn't use the term "genuine goodness" to ever describe what little I DO know about her. And I would also never say that Andy is the opposite of genuine goodness...and THAT was the real point I was trying to make.
- 06/30/2009 - 4:56pm
- india
no more season of New Jersey housewives verrrrrryyyyy!boring If it wasn't for danielle drama it would have been curtains for that show
- 06/30/2009 - 4:41pm
- Viewer
Andy,
What a tremendous treat last night had to be...I was prepared to hate the RHNJ b/c I wasn't ready for RHNYC to be over and I thought the previews were yick, but ended up so loving the show. Please reassure us that it won't take as long to produce season 2 as it's taking for Flipping Out to come back...SERIOUSLY!
I'm with you on the Janet appearance at the BET awards. I didn't see it, but thought it quite odd b/c she seems so "normal". My stomach did turn when I heard Joe was in the front row, but that didn't seem a surprise. Janet & Jermaine should adopt those children. It so saddens me to think that Joe will be a part of their daily lives.
- 06/30/2009 - 3:40pm
- Jules aka SebastianCox
C'mon Andy, you didn't "get" it. I like you a lot, cuz you do great interviews with the Housewives. But it really isn't hard to "get" why Janet did the BET Awards. Maybe, YOU should "get" with it. Much luv n respect.
xx
- 06/30/2009 - 3:38pm
- Viewer
I want to go to dinner with the Manzos! Even more than that I want to be your friend. And be able to ask you to get yo famous bravolebrities to go to dinner with us. Love love love you Andy.
When you say that Kathy will soon learn the secret...is it going to be made public? Or were you implying that Kathy would get in tight with the Manzos and find out? :)
- 06/30/2009 - 3:18pm
- Viewer
Ellen Barkin, Dina, Caroline and You would have been my dream dinner.
It must have been so interesting and fun.
Dina and Ellen I predict will become great friends.
- 06/30/2009 - 3:18pm
- Jan
Andy, Just a few nights before MJ died the whole life story of the Jackson family movie aired on tv. It was very long. I only watched 3 hours of it. In the beginning Joe Jackson worked in a factory and then he realized his kids had talent so he quit his job to make his kids support the family by singing and dancing. He was hard on all of them, made them fearful of him, and beat them. I am not surprised that he was plugging his own record label instead of showing concern that his own son just died. He only wanted kids to make them work as entertainers for his own greedy lifestyle.
- 06/30/2009 - 2:38pm
- Vincent Bernard
I don't understand what you didn't "get" about Janet's appearance at the BET awards. As one poster said above, she was there to put fans at ease and to say thank you for the overwhelming support they've received from those who are really sad about an icons departure from this planet. Its as simple as that. There's nothing to "get".
- 06/30/2009 - 2:35pm
- Amanda
In regards to Winnie on Janet...
You don't know enough of Janet to know whether she tried to help her brother or not. No, scratch that...
You don't ANYTHING about the woman. He brother JUST died but, she's resorting to "theatrics" to call attention to herself? And, you're quoting Madonna, the Biggest Attention _______ (fill in the blank) OF ALL TIME (w/ all the stunts she's pulled)!!! lmao What planet are you from, really? lmao
- 06/30/2009 - 2:35pm
- Jo-Ann
Andy,
I saw Kathy Griffin last Friday night at the MGM Foxwoods in Connecticut. At least 50 percent of her show was about the Real Housewives with a few mentions of you too. I was in heaven as I love the Housewives and of course you. She was asking the audience what the secret was and I wanted to yell out what I've heard(Bad Danielle!)but I left her to wonder. I just know Caroline gave the dirt to Ellen Barkin though. What a fabulous life you have. Can we get a show about you? I got my pic of Kathy Griffin on Friday night but I'd love one of you for my Bravo collection.
- 06/30/2009 - 2:34pm
- Angelmurp
Andy, I totally agree with your comments on Joe Jackson. Seriously, what is is up with Joe?? I would agree that we all show grief in different forms. To plug his own record label... I would think is more than bazaar. Isn't there anyone in the Jackson camp that can control him?
At any rate keep up the great work, and get plenty of rest. The woman of Hotlanta I'm sure will not let us down.
- 06/30/2009 - 12:01pm
- Tom G
Hey, I guess we would have never known what was up at the reunion if Dina did not forgive Danielle. Caroline probably felt , in a way, that Dina threw her under the bus when she took the higher road. I have been down that road with My siblings..I would have still liked to be a fly on the wall of that dinner last night..I have always liked Ellen Barkin.She was under rated in the movie "Switch".
Honestly, I have been dwelling on the finale of RHNJ all weekend long. The conflict was real compared to the screaming brats of NY. I don't think the family knew what to expect of the show..thinking it was going to be lovey dovey..had Caroline seen any of the other RH shows? If Danielle was not in the mix..it would be very, very,boring..because they were a normal loving family. Danielle, even with drama..wants that.
- 06/30/2009 - 11:59am
- Mike B.
I cringe everytime I see Joe Jackson pop up talking more BS, more smoke and mirrors.... ugh! I guess my fave MJ song is (You just) Wanna be starting something - yah yah.
- 06/30/2009 - 11:51am
- Viewer
I have never commented before on Bravo. Not even for Project Runway but I've becomed hooked on reading. I have this to say about the RHNJ and this Danielle person. Did not anyone find her and her behavior highly disturbing? I felt incredibly uncomfortable watching this show ... I know reality TV is not real life but somewhere I found this show crossed a line and I think it may be in Bravo's interest to not continue with this person. Drama is fine to a degree. I am a former filmmaker and I know "conflict" is the main driver for any story but this really made me uncomfortable. Doesn't Bravo's producers check these people? Especially for a second season. All I can say is "liability risks" here.
- 06/30/2009 - 11:45am
- Renee
Andy,
ohhh to be a fly on the wall last night. How fabulous to dine with strong, amazing people.
I wish Bravo would bring part 2 of RHWNJ back asap!!! I love these women! Even the nutty ones.
Question: Why haven't we seen a blog from Theresa? I adore her and was sad to see her so quiet on the Reunion show... I feel like you were a little hard on her. She's a doll, at least she's real!
:) Keep up the blogging and great programing at Bravo, my new favorite network!
xoxo
- 06/30/2009 - 11:32am
- Winnie
In regards to: "Genuine goodness is always threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum!"
Are you saying that Andy is the opposite of genuine goodness???
I, for one, have loved Michael Jackson's MUSIC since he was the star of the Jackson Five. He has been a music legend. And I agree that it would have been nice if the media had waited until this "young" man was actually buried before they brought up his troubled past. But I also can't believe you think Janet Jackson is "genuine goodness". I lost respect for her with her little wardrobe malfunction at the Superbowl. Just like Madonna, she'll do whatever it takes to call attention to herself when she slips out of the public eye. Instead of using her TALENT to light the way, she resorted to theatrics. You don't know enough about Andy Cohen to obscurely say he is the opposite of genuine goodness! And if Janet Jackson is "genuine goodness", why didn't she get her brother the help he so obviously needed????
- 06/30/2009 - 11:20am
- Winnie
Andy Panda!
I'm hooked on your blogs! I keep following each of the blogs trying to find out what the big SECRET is about Dina and Danielle. There is so much speculation on the web...but I want to know the truth! Please, please, please do not bring Danielle back next season! I think she is just way to sleazy and dangerous. Every time she gets mad at someone, she threatens them with what appears to be bodily harm. Please do not allow her to have a forum where she can intimidate people with physical violence. That would be quite a liability for Bravo!
You are a doll! I could just hug you up!
- 06/30/2009 - 11:20am
- Viewer
Andy...She was there to say thank you on behalf of the family. It was as simple as that.
Genuine goodness is always threatening to those at the opposite end of the moral spectrum!
Regards
- 06/30/2009 - 11:12am
- David
what didn't you "get" about her appearance? exactly what was wrong with Janet's appearance on the BET awards? she put alot of Michael's fans at ease with her appearance and the beautiful words she said. why does the media always have to find fault with everything Janet does? the media grows more and more disgusting every day with their lack of respect for the Jackson family during one of the darkest moments of their lives. it's downright sickening.
- 06/30/2009 - 10:38am
- Bart
Not fair Andy, dinner with Caroline and kids, and Dina!!!! And you know the 'secret'. Probably not the incident that Danielle tried to pass off as the secret in her blog. Hmmm, nothing says crazy woman like 19 engagements. Has anyone put the math to that? Like was it one a year for 19 years, or two a year for ten years?
Every morning as I wake up I sort out my schedule for the day. This morning I was running through the mundane end of month stuff that has to be done, but then remembered it was also a Tuesday which meant RHNJ, but then remembered it was over-crap.
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